Terms and Conditions
GB Pigeon Auctions – Terms and Conditions
Welcome to GB Pigeon Auctions. These terms explain how to use our auction website. In these terms, “we”, “us” and “our” mean GB Pigeon Auctions. “You” means a person using the website as a bidder, buyer or seller. A “lot” is an item offered for sale.
1. Registration and use of the website
1.1 You must be at least 18 years old and legally able to enter into a binding contract to buy or sell through the website.
1.2 You must provide accurate registration and contact details, keep them up to date and protect your login information. Contact us promptly if you suspect unauthorised use of your account.
1.3 You must use the website honestly and lawfully. False listings, fraudulent bids, bidding on your own lots and arranging bids to artificially increase a price are prohibited.
2. Listings and seller responsibilities
2.1 Sellers must own the pigeons or other items they list, or have the owner's authority to sell them. Sellers are responsible for the accuracy of descriptions, photographs, ring numbers, pedigrees, breeding details, health information and claims about racing results or winnings.
2.2 Sellers must disclose relevant information that could reasonably affect a buyer's decision. Any uncertainty about a pigeon's sex, parentage, breeding status or other material detail must be clearly stated.
2.3 Auctions created through the seller listing form must have a starting price of at least £50. Any reserve price and specific sale conditions must be set out before bidding begins.
2.4 Sellers must supply the paperwork and transfer documents promised in the listing. Buyers should raise missing or incorrect paperwork with the seller and may contact us if the matter remains unresolved.
2.5 We may remove a listing where there is a reasonable concern about its accuracy, ownership, legality or compliance with these terms. Sellers must contact us promptly if a lot becomes unavailable or a material error is discovered.
3. Bidding and auction results
3.1 Read the full listing and ask any questions before bidding. Check your bid carefully before confirming it. A bid is a commitment to buy if successful, subject to any cancellation rights that apply by law.
3.2 The website uses proxy bidding. You may enter the maximum amount you are prepared to pay, and the system will bid on your behalf using the applicable bid increments, up to that limit. Your maximum bid is not published to other users.
3.3 Public bid activity uses anonymous bidder labels. Bid amounts may be displayed during an auction; bidding is not a sealed-bid process. Contact details may be shared where necessary to complete a sale or deal with a transaction issue.
3.4 Bids must meet the minimum amount shown by the website. Where equal maximum bids are placed, the earlier valid bid takes priority under the auction system.
3.5 A lot is sold to the highest valid bidder at the end of the auction, provided any reserve price and stated sale conditions have been met. Where a Buy It Now option is available, the price and conditions shown on that listing apply.
3.6 Auctions use a ten-minute extension to allow further bidding near the closing time. If a qualifying bid is accepted with less than five minutes remaining, the time remaining will automatically reset to ten minutes. This process will repeat whenever a qualifying bid is placed within the final five minutes, so always check the current closing time shown on the listing.
3.7 Successful bidders can view their purchases in their account and will be sent an email notification. You are responsible for checking your account; a missing or delayed email does not remove your payment obligation.
3.8 We may investigate and remove bids that appear fraudulent, mistaken or contrary to these terms. If a technical fault or serious listing issue affects an auction, we may pause, extend, cancel or rerun it as reasonably necessary. We will explain material changes to affected users where practicable and arrange the return of any money paid for a cancelled purchase.
4. Payment and fees
4.1 Payment for a winning bid must be made in full within three days of winning the auction, unless a different arrangement has been expressly agreed with us in writing before the payment deadline.
4.2 Use the payment methods provided in your account, on your invoice or in verified payment instructions from us. Include the auction or invoice reference where requested.
4.3 A seller commission of 12.5% of the final sale price applies to each successful sale where the seller uploads their own lot. Where GB Pigeon Auctions uploads a lot on the seller's behalf, a seller commission of 17.5% of the final sale price applies instead. These rates apply to every successful sale, regardless of the final sale price. Any separately agreed service must have its charges confirmed before it is provided.
4.4 Any applicable optional listing charges must be shown before you confirm the listing or select the relevant feature. Delivery charges and any applicable taxes must be made clear before purchase.
4.5 If you cannot pay on time, contact us immediately. Failure to pay may result in restrictions on your account and the seller seeking an appropriate remedy for non-payment, subject to applicable law.
5. Collection, delivery and paperwork
5.1 Buyers and sellers must confirm the collection or delivery arrangements, costs and expected timing before the pigeon or item is dispatched. Do not assume that transport is included in the winning bid.
5.2 Any courier used must be suitable for transporting live pigeons. Sellers must ensure pigeons are fit to travel and comply with applicable animal welfare and movement requirements. Buyers must be available to receive them at the agreed time.
5.3 Any proposed delivery outside the United Kingdom must be agreed before bidding, including whether it is available and who is responsible for the required documents, transport costs and import requirements.
6. Sale contracts, concerns and refunds
6.1 Unless a listing expressly identifies GB Pigeon Auctions as the seller, the contract for the lot is between the buyer and the seller. We provide the auction platform. Each seller remains responsible for fulfilling the sale and meeting their legal obligations.
6.2 Tell the seller promptly if a lot is not supplied, differs materially from its description or arrives with a problem. Keep the listing details, payment records and relevant photographs. Contact us if you need assistance with a transaction made through the website.
6.3 Cancellation, return and refund rights depend on the circumstances of the sale, including whether the seller is acting as a business. Nothing in these terms removes any statutory right to cancel, reject goods or obtain a refund. Where a statutory cancellation right applies, follow the website's Cancel Purchase process or notify the seller using another legally valid method.
6.4 A seller's statements about a pigeon's pedigree or past performance do not guarantee future racing results or breeding success. This does not excuse an inaccurate or misleading description.
7. Personal information
7.1 We handle personal information in accordance with applicable data protection law and our Privacy Policy. This includes information needed to operate accounts, administer auctions, process transactions and address fraud or disputes.
7.2 Transaction contact details must only be used for completing the sale or resolving a related issue. Registration alone does not amount to consent to unrelated marketing.
8. Website availability and responsibility
8.1 We take reasonable care in providing the website, but uninterrupted or error-free access cannot be guaranteed. Allow enough time to place bids and make payments.
8.2 Unless expressly stated, we have not independently inspected each pigeon or verified every pedigree, photograph or performance claim. Sellers remain responsible for their listings, and we remain responsible for our own legal obligations.
8.3 Nothing in these terms excludes or limits liability for fraud, fraudulent misrepresentation, death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
9. Account restrictions and changes to these terms
9.1 We may restrict or suspend an account where reasonably necessary to address fraud, non-payment, misuse or a breach of these terms. Where appropriate, we will explain the reason and provide a way to raise a concern. Account closure does not automatically cancel existing sale contracts or outstanding obligations.
9.2 We may update these terms by publishing a revised version on the website. Changes will apply to future use and transactions and will not retrospectively alter a concluded sale without agreement or a legal requirement.
9.3 Please contact GB Pigeon Auctions using the website's Contact Us page if you have a question about these terms, an auction or your account.
Our address: 40 Glen Rd, Caldercruix, North Lanarkshire, ML6 7PZ